News

Seven political parties in Japan have jointly submitted legislation to prevent a repeat of the chaotic 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election, where many candidates sold their designated poster space, leading to some being used for commercial advertising. The proposed bill aims to uphold the dignity of elections and impose fines for using posters for commercial purposes.

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has developed a more accurate method to estimate radiation exposure doses for people who spend time around the stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. This method takes into account daily life patterns and provides a more realistic assessment of actual exposure levels, contributing to the recovery of Fukushima Prefecture and improving preparedness for future nuclear incidents.

The founding family of Seven & i Holdings has given up its attempt at a buyout designed to resist a hostile takeover by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., after failing to secure sufficient funding. Seven & i executives advocate preserving independent management, citing uncertain benefits from Couche-Tard’s proposition for the company's Japanese operations and consumers.

SoftBank Corp. has partnered with a Tokyo-based university to enhance SureTalk, an AI-powered app translating sign language gestures into text. The app, already in use by several local governments, has played a significant role at events like the upcoming Tokyo Deaflympics and aims for broader public-use applications.

Toyota has announced a significant restructuring of its board, appointing six new members, including auditors and increasing diversity through additional female and external representatives. This decision comes amid scrutiny over the company's internal controls following certification test violations and aims to position Toyota effectively in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.